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Just warming up Black upsets sixth seed; Kournikova also advances
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Calling it the biggest victory of her career, Zimbabwe's Cara Black upset sixth-seeded Amanda Coetzer of South Africa, 6-2, 6-1 Thursday in the second round of the Bank of the West Classic. Ninth-seeded Anna Kournikova also advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Canada's Jana Nejedly. Black reached her fourth career quarterfinal, and will play No. 4 seed Monica Seles on Friday. "I've never played her, so it will be a good challenge," said Black. "I played well. It wasn't my top form, but I'm happy." Kournikova, looking for her first WTA singles title, needed just 44 minutes to defeat Nejedly for the third time in as many meetings, but the first time since the 1996 U.S. Open qualifying tournament. "I think I played very well," Kournikova said. "Once I got up 2-0, I just never looked back and was playing great. I'm playing much better than when I was at Wimbledon. My ankle is 100 percent and I don't think about it any more. I had some unbelievable shots and I didn't hesitate going for them." Kournikova injured her ankle in the first round of the German Open and was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open. Kournikova, who had two serves reach 100 mph (160 kph), took charge from the start and was already ahead 4-0 when Nejedly required some medical attention, getting her right knee wrapped for acute tendinitis of the knee. Nejedly wasn't able to move much afterward. "I felt it this morning warming up on the track, but it felt fine on the court," Nejedly said. "Then I felt it go a little bit and took a precaution. I felt I was hitting the ball well enough, but when you can't move out there it makes it harder." The ninth-seeded Kournikova plays No. 6 seed Sandrine Testud. Kournikova, who reached the quarterfinals last year in the event, has defeated Testud in two previous meetings, including the first round at Wimbledon this season. "The last time was a tough match. With the top players you expect them to play well," Kournikova said. "You have to get ready for every match. Right now I feel confident, and stronger physically."
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